Folding chair



1937- w. c. RASTETTER 3,

FOLDING CHAIR Filed May 25, 19:57 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I I KJ Z: a Z; INVENTOR.

W2 ATTORNEY.

Nov. 9, 1937. w. c. RASTETTER FOLDING CHAIR Filed May 25, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 F INVENTOR. @MWMATTORNEY.

Nov. 9, 1937. w. c. RASTETTER 2,098,711

FOLDING CHAIR Filed May 25, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q%, BY M/IWENTOR 9% ATTORNEY;

Patented Nov. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE I This invention relates to improvements infoldingchairs of that type in which the part forming the back of the chair is an integral continuation of the rear legs, and the seat and forelegs of the chair, and the linkage connecting the seat, forelegs and rear leg and back structure, constitute the folding parts.

An object of the invention is to afford a chair of the conventional dining-room type with folding parts so constructed as to permit folding of the seat and forelegs against the rear leg and back structure, and also to provide connections between the seat, forelegs and rear structure, so arranged as to be inconspicuous when the chair is fully extended for use.

Another object is to form the link and hinge connections between the seat, forelegs and rear structure so that the link structure has yielding latch connection with the seat when the chair is fully unfolded.

A further object is to provide hinge plates for securing a seat of the chair to its rear'structure, and linkage connecting said hinge plates, forelegs and rear structure so constituted as to have yielding latch engagement with said hinge-plates to thereby augment rigidity of the chair when extended. a

It is also an object of the invention to provide linkage and associated connections with the rear leg and back structure, seat and foreleg structure so arranged as to provide yielding latch engagements between said linkage and connections when the chair is extended for use and also when it is in folded position.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in

which: v

8. 1 is a. side elevation of a chair in which the invention is embodied, the full lines indicating the chair in fully extended position for use, the seat, forelegs and linkage being shown by dotted lines in semi-collapsed and also in completely collapsed positions;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the rear structure, seat and foreleg structure and the linkage connecting the same, the parts being shown as when the chair is partially coilapsed;

Fig. 3 is another fragmentary perspective view of the back structure, seat frame and linkage with the latching means in'modifled form;

Fig. 4 is a cross section showing the seat frame, the latching means of the type shown in Fig. 3, and the link members in latched position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 2 in advanced collapsed position; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevation of the linkage and parts to which they are connected in their positions when collapsed.

Theillustrative embodiment of the invention consists of a rigid rear frame structure formed of the back I and rear legs 2 of a folding chair, a folding seat 3, a foreleg structure 4, and link mechanism hereinafter described connecting the. seat and foreleg structure with the rear leg and back structure in folding relation therewith.

The upper portion of the rear frame structure has a suitable back-rest B, and the rear legs are connected by cross-pieces i in the usual manner. The seat 3 has side and front frame members I and 8 and the foreleg structure 4 includes crosspieces 9 and i0.

The mechanism for connecting the seat and the foreleg structure with the rear frame structure consists of two groups of members, the one group being the counterpart of the other, and each being assembled suitably for installation respectively in the right and left hand sides of'the chair. In each assembly are included a rear anchor-plate il, a hinge-plate l2 having an upturned extension is that is secured, tosaid plate at the upper endthereof by a pivot H, a front anchor-plate I5, a toggle formed of arms l6 and I1, and a lever I 8. The forward end of the toggle arm i6 and the 'rear end of the toggle arm I] are pivotally connected together by a pivot l9. The rear end of the arm I6 is connected to the lower end of the rear anchor-plate H by a pivot 20,. and the forward end of the toggle arm I l is connected to the upper end .of the front anchor plate by a pivot II. The upper end of the lever is is connected to the hinge-plate I! by a pivot 22 and its lower-end is connected to the lower part of the front anchor-plate II by a pivot 23. Also,.said lever is connected to the toggle arm I6 by a pivotll, the pivotal con-- nection 2| constituting a fulcrum for the lever l8. Preferably, each anchor-plate i5 is providedwith ears 25, 26 and 21 that are suitably secured respectively to the corresponding front leg 4 and the upper and lower cross-pieces 9 and Ill. The. forward end portion of the hinge-plate I! has an embossment shaped to provides. socket 28 into which the projecting roundedhead of the pivot I 9 is adapted to be received when the seat is moved to its fully extended position. As the pivot I9 is moved into engagement with the embossment the toggle and the lever are sprung laterally inward and yieldingly hold the rounded end 'in collapsed position.

InthemodifledfomiIIustratedinFigsSand acup-shapeddiscltissecuredontheinner fsceofeachseatsidememberl'bymeansofa screwtLwhiohisseparateandapart-fromthe hinge-plate i2 andhas yielding latched enwith-the corresponding pivot-ll that cmnechthetogglearmsitandil'. Thehingephte i2 alsois provided with an emhosnnent providing a socket I. for the reception of the M II when thechair is completely collapsed Upmthetopofeachforeleglissecuredacmhi If conaistingpreferablyof afelt or rubpresslmeoftheleaawhenthe chairismovedto extended position, to an extent thatpermits the 'roundedendsofthetoggle pivots ll tospring intolaiiched t. with the corresponding 10 Ihmthechairisfoidedhyrelsingthefront endoftheseatwithsuilicientforoetocausethe pivobiltom'ingoutfromthesoch'etslgand upmupwardswingingmovemuitdtheseatto folded position against the back-frame the tlroondedendsofthepivots il-springintothe ma thm yieldlngly retainingthefolding ward'lwingingmovlnenttotheseat,whereupon to theforelegs arethm'through-the medium of thetogglemllandilsndtheleverll,intooperative poeitiontosupport the front end of seatwhichbearsthereon, and asthe'cushflyieldtothedownwardpressureofthe ontheforelegstructuratheroundedendsof to the sockets 20, and

in yieldinsly latched in expreferabletolatchthefoldingmemhers-of the chair in both folded and unfolded posiflminsome I ,itmaybedesired inordertopermitunfoldim ofthechsirwithmtrestraintofthelatchingmeanstohoiditin foldedpoeition; mintheformshowninrig. 4s. Lthereareochetsl .onthehinge-lllahlllare andthetoggiepivots itare'so nothavehtchingengasementwhentheseatis 60M folded ln the other forms illustrstedtwo-sockets are provided for latched en- 'Ihecushionsyieldtothedownward',

end, one of said toggle arms having pivotal connection with the lower end of the first-mentioned anchor-plate and the outer end of the other toggle arm having pivotal connection with said second anchor-plate at the upper end thereof, a 5 lever pivotally connected to one of ,said toggle arms and at one end thereof with the corresponding hinge-plate and also connected pivotally at its opposite end with said second anchor-plate at the lower end thereof, each of said hinge plates 10 having sockets formed thereon so located that the projecting ends of the corresponding toggle pivots have latching engagement in one or the other of said sockets accordingly when the seat and the foreleg'structure are moved into exit ture with said rear frame. said mechanism consisting of right and left hand assembled groups 85 of members, in each of which groups are included an anchor-plate secured to the rear frame, a hinge-plate secured to said seat and pivoted on said anchor-plate at the upper end thereof, a

second anchor-plate secured to the front leg .0

structure, toggle arms connected together by a pivot having a rounded projecting end, one of said toggle arms having pivotal connection with the lower end of the first-mentioned anchorplate and the outer end of the other toggle arm 86 having pivotal connection with said second anchor-plate at the upper end thereof, and a lever pivotally connected to .one of said toggle arms and at one end thereof withthe corresponding hinge-plate and also connected pivot- 40 ally at its opposite end with said second anchorplate at the lower end thereof, each of said hingeplates having sockets formed thereon so located that the projecting ends of the corresponding toggle pivots have latching engagement in one or the'other of said sockets accordingly when the seat and the foreleg structure are moved into extended or folded position.

3. ma folding chair, a rigid rear frame structure constituting the back and rear legs of said chair, a seat, a foreleg structure, and mechanism operatively connecting said seat and foreleg structure with said rear frame, said mechanism consisting of right and left hand assembled groups of members, in each of which groups are included an anchor-plate secured to the rear frame, a hinge-plate secured'to said seat and pivoted on said anchor-plate at the upper end thereof, a second anchor-plate secured to the front leg structure, toggle arms connected together by so apivot having a rounded projecting end, one of said toggle arms having pivotal connection with the lower end of the first-mentioned anchor-- plate and the outer end of the other toggle arm having pivotal connection with said second an- 5 chor-plate at the upper end thereof, a lever having pivotal connection with one of said toglle arms and at one end thereof with the corresponding hinge plate and being connectedpivotally at its opposite end with said second anchor-plate 7 at the lower end thereof, each of said hingeplates having a socket formed thereon so located that the projecting end of the corresponding toggle pivot has latching engagement therein when the seat and the foreleg structure are moved 15 into extended position, and cushions on the foreleg structure upon which the forward end of the seat bears when the chair is completely extended.

4. In a folding chair, a rigid rear frame structure constituting the back and rear legs of said chair, a seat, a forelegstructure, and mechanism operatively connecting said seat and foreleg structure with said rear frame, said mechanism consisting of right and left hand assembled groups of members, in each of which groups are included an anchor-plate secured to the rear frame, a hinge-plate secured to said seat and pivoted on said anchor-plate at the upper end thereof, a second anchor-plate secured to the front leg structure, toggle arms connected together by a pivot having a rounded projecting end, one of said toggle arms having pivotal connection with the lower end of the first-mentioned anchorplate and the outer end of the other toggle arm having pivotal connection with said second anchor-plate at the upper end thereof, and a lever having pivotal connection with one of said toggle arms and at one end thereof with the corresponding hinge-plate and being connected pivotally at its opposite end with said second anchorplate at the lower end thereof, each "of said hinge-plates having a socket formed thereon so located that the projecting end of the corresponding toggle pivot has latching engagement therein when the seat and the foreleg structure are moved into extended position.

5. In a folding chair, a rigid rear frame structure constituting the back and rear legs of said chair, a seat, a foreleg structure, and mechanism operatively connecting said seat and foreleg structure with said rear frame, said mechanism consisting of right and left hand assembled groups of members, in each of which groups are included an anchor-plate secured to the rear frame, a hinge-plate secured to said seat and pivoted on said anchor-plate at the upper end thereof, a second anchor-plate secured to the front leg structure, toggle arms pivotally connected at their meeting ends, one of said toggle arms having pivotal connection with the lower end of the first-mentioned anchor-plate and the outer end of the other toggle arm having pivotal connection with said second anchor-plate at the upper end thereof, a lever having pivotal connection with one of said toggle arms and at one end thereof with the corresponding hingeplate and being connected pivotally at its opposite end with said second anchor-plate at the lower end thereof, and cushion means disposed to be compressed between the foreleg structure and seat when the chair is fully extended.

6. In a folding chair, a rigid rear frame structure constituting the back and rear legs of said chair, a seat, a foreleg structure, and mechanism operatively connecting said seat and foreleg structure with said rear frame, said mechanism consisting of right and left hand assembled groups of members, in each of which groups are included an anchor-plate secured to the rear frame, a hinge-plate secured to said seat and pivoted on said anchor-plate at the upper end thereof, a second anchor-plate secured to the front leg structure, toggle arms pivotallv connected at their meeting ends, one of said toggle arms having pivotal connection with the lower end of the first-mentioned anchor-plate and the outer end of the other toggle arm having pivotal connection with said second anchor-plate at the upper end thereof, and a lever having pivotal connection with one of said toggle arms and at one end thereof with the corresponding hingeplate and being connected pivotally at its opposite end with said second anchor-plate at the lower end thereof.

7. A folding chair having a rear frame constituting the back and rear legs of said chair, a seat having a frame pivoted to said rear frame, a foreleg structure, toggles connecting said rear frame and foreleg structure, each toggle consisting of two arms connected together by a pivot provided with a projecting end, one arm of each toggle having pivotal connection with one side of the rear frame at a point thereon lower than the seat pivot, and the other of said arms being pivoted to said foreleg structure at a point adjacent the top thereof, levers pivoted respectively to a corresponding one of said toggle arms at a point between its ends, one end of each lever having pivotal connectionwith the seat-frame, and its opposite end having pivotal connection with the foreleg structure at a point thereon lower than its pivotal connection with said toggle, means on the seat-frame having latching engagement with the projecting ends of said toggle pivots, and cushion means disposed to be compressed between the foreleg structure and said frame when the chair is fully extended.

8. A folding chair having a rear frame constituting the back and rear legs of said chair, a seat having a frame pivoted to said rear frame, a foreleg structure, toggles connecting said rear frame and foreleg structure, each toggle consisting of two arms connected together by a pivot provided with a projecting end, one arm of each toggle having pivotal connection with one side of the rear frame at a point thereon lower than the seat pivot, and the other of said arms being pivoted to said foreleg structure at a point adjacent the top thereof, levers pivoted respectively to a corresponding one of said toggle arms at a point between its ends, oneend of each lever having pivotal connection with the seatframe, and its opposite end having pivotal connection with the foreleg structure at a point thereon lower than its pivotal connection with said toggle, and means on the seat-frame having latching engagement with the projecting ends of said toggle pivots.

9. A folding chair having a rear frame constituting the back and rear legs of said chair, a seat having a frame pivoted to said rear frame, a foreleg structure, toggles connecting said rear frame and foreleg structure, each toggle consisting of two arms connected together by a pivot provided with a projecting end, one arm of each toggle having pivotal connection with one side of the rear frame at a point thereon lower than the seat pivot, and the other of said arms being pivoted to said foreleg structure at a point adjacent the top thereof, levers pivoted respectively to a corresponding one of said toggle arms at a point between its ends, one end of each lever having pivotal connection with the seatframe, and its opposite end having pivotal connection with the foreleg structure at a point thereon lower than its pivotal connection with said toggle, and means on the seat-frame having latching engagement with the projecting ends of said toggle pivots when the chair is completely unfolded and also when the chair is completely folded.

WILLIAM C. 'RASTE'I'I'ER. 

